Is there a way to find life insurance policies of deceased?

Asked by: Mr. Jean Collier  |  Last update: July 12, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (26 votes)

Check with the decedent's auto or home insurance agent as they may have purchased life insurance through them. Review the decedent's income tax records. Check the State Controller's Office Life Insurance Settlement Property Search engine or call them at 800-992-4647.

Is there a database to search life insurance policies?

To help solve this issue, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) created the Life Insurance Policy Locator, a free online tool that helps consumers find their deceased loved one's life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

Is life insurance beneficiary public record?

Life insurance policies aren't typically public record. Because they're paid out to a designated beneficiary, they don't need to go through probate, which would make them a matter of public record.

Can you look up if someone has a life insurance policy on you?

You might want to contact the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for their free Life Insurance Policy Locator Service, which looks for policies on the databases of many insurance companies. Another great resource could be your state's Department of Insurance (DOI).

How long after a death do you have to find their life insurance policy?

If you're named as a primary beneficiary on a policy, you can begin the process of filing a claim. There's technically no time limit for claiming life insurance, but starting the process sooner can help your payout process go smoothly.

How to Find Life Insurance Policies of the Deceased : Life Insurance & More

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How to find out if a deceased person had life insurance?

Check with the decedent's auto or home insurance agent as they may have purchased life insurance through them. Review the decedent's income tax records. Check the State Controller's Office Life Insurance Settlement Property Search engine or call them at 800-992-4647.

How long after a person dies will beneficiaries be notified?

The timeline is much shorter. California laws, for example, require that beneficiaries are notified within 60 days of the death.

How to find life insurance policies of deceased parents free?

In your web browser, navigate to naic.org, hover over Consumer, and click Life Insurance Policy Locator under Tools. Submit a search request by entering the deceased's information from the death certificate: Social Security number.

Can someone take out a life insurance policy on you without you knowing?

Lack of Consent: Legally, you cannot take out a life insurance policy on someone without their knowledge and explicit consent.

What are the rules for beneficiaries of life insurance?

Your beneficiary can be a person, a charity, a trust, or your estate. Almost any person can be named as a beneficiary, although your state of residence or the provider of your benefits may restrict who you can name as a beneficiary. Make sure you research your state's laws before naming your beneficiary.

Are life insurance policies public knowledge?

No, life insurance policies are private documents. Only the policyholder, the beneficiary, or authorized individuals can access them. In probate situations, some information might become accessible through the court.

What happens to unclaimed life insurance policies?

In many cases, however, the proceeds of the life insurance policy plus any interest earned get sent over to the policyholder's state after a certain number of years. Named beneficiaries can then collect their unclaimed payout via the state treasury.

How do I trace a beneficiary?

How does a professional genealogist conduct their research into missing beneficiaries?
  1. electoral roll data (both current and historic);
  2. consumer databases;
  3. credit reference databases;
  4. birth, marriage, and death records; and.
  5. other genealogical datasets.

How to find out if you are a beneficiary for free?

How to find out if you've been named a beneficiary
  1. Talk to your loved one while they're still alive. ...
  2. Look through financial documents. ...
  3. Contact the life insurance company. ...
  4. Use a life insurance policy locator. ...
  5. Check with the policyholder's state.

Is an old life insurance policy worth anything?

A policy that lapsed before the policyholder died has no value. But if the policy was still in force when the insured died, that policy's death benefit may still be available to the beneficiary. Note that the death benefit amount could be different from the policy's original face value. Several factors can cause this.

How do I look up an insurance policy number?

You can also call your provider directly. An agent will be able to assist you in locating the policy number, but to do so, they will need to verify your account for security reasons — and they may even ask you to confirm your date of birth, address, or other personal details.

Can you look up if someone has a life insurance policy?

If you're not sure what life insurance company holds the policy, you can submit a request to search the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) database for the specific policy you're looking for.

What happens to life insurance if you never use it?

If you outlive your term (let's hope this is the case), then typically one of two things happens: The policy will simply end, and you'll no longer owe payments or be covered, or. The insurer might allow you to keep your coverage by converting all or a portion of the policy into permanent life insurance.

How to find out if a deceased person has investments?

Finding all of your loved one's assets
  1. Where to look for assets. ...
  2. Start with their desk and computer. ...
  3. Contact financial institutions. ...
  4. Contact the person's most recent employer. ...
  5. Contact local town offices. ...
  6. Search your loved one's home thoroughly. ...
  7. Search online databases.

How do you know if you're the beneficiary of someone's life insurance?

Communicate with the Policyholder

The first step in determining if you're a life insurance beneficiary is to have a talk with the policyholder. Open communication allows you to understand their life insurance coverage, your role as a beneficiary, and how to claim any benefits when the time comes.

How to claim deceased parents' unclaimed money?

How to Claim Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives. If you're one of the lucky individuals who finds unclaimed money, and believe you're the rightful heir to it, it's time to file your claim. You can do so by filing a claim through the controller office of the state that holds the asset or property.

How long before you are notified if you are a beneficiary?

A typical timeline

While there is no strict deadline, beneficiaries are usually notified within a few weeks to a few months after someone's death.

How long can you keep an estate open after death?

Probate Deadlines

Most states have a deadline for filing in probate court. This typically varies from 10 days to three months. It is essential to meet this deadline because the longer it takes for an estate to go through probate, the longer beneficiaries must wait for their inheritance.

How do you know if you are a beneficiary?

Typically, you might receive a certified letter from the personal representative notifying you that you are a beneficiary. However, you can always contact the estate attorney to explain the will to you.